The Bears offense provided a bright spot in last Sunday's loss to the Packers, compiling 391 total yards and scoring on four of seven possessions.

The marked improvement came after new play caller Thomas Brown issued a challenge to players and coaches during the middle of last week.

"It's kind of what I told the offense on Monday: there are no 'atta-boys' in this game," Brown said Thursday. "We play the game to win. We came up short. But I first want to start by saying how much I appreciate the response from our coaches and our players because last week on Wednesday, I really challenged the entire group—all the coaches, including myself, all the players—to do more, to give more, to be accountable, to practice harder, so we have an opportunity to go play well.

"Those guys did everything we asked them to do. It's obviously frustrating when it comes to not being able to get the result that we wanted, but [I'm] excited and encouraged to continue to do a really good job to lead the group and build upon that."

Brown approached the Packers game seeking to attack the defense, spread the ball around to get multiple playmakers involved and force Green Bay to defend every blade of grass in both the passing and running games.

Brown's goal every week "is always to put us in the best spot for our guys to make plays based on tendencies, based on how we set up the game, based on formations, motion, variations." He added that he believes in "marrying the run and the pass, marrying formations and motions."

The Bears will be tested this Sunday by a Vikings defense that ranks No. 1 in the NFL against the run and is known for its frequent and wide variety of blitzes.

"We have a great challenge this week that I'm excited about against a top-tier defense that plays aggressive," Brown said. "We'll continue to keep talking about the principles that lead to us playing well, starting first with how we prepare, the mentality behind it. Taking it from a preparation standpoint during the week to hopefully show up the right way on game day."

In a rush

Coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged that the Bears need more from their pass rush. After recording 11 sacks in three straight wins, they've been limited to seven sacks in their last four games.

"Definitely need a more, better coordinated pass rush, getting on the quarterback, hitting the quarterback," Eberflus said. "That's something we have to look at. We have to be better there, for sure. That's something we're going to look at this week. It's something that we have to be coordinated with and have a better result."

Defensive coordinator Eric Washington described generating consistent pressure from the front four as "a weekly aspiration and goal."

"Everything that we like to do starts with our four-man rush first through third down and including two-minute," Washington said. "Whatever we desire to do in terms of sending an extra player should complement that. We have to have the production with our four-man rush."

After compiling 12.5 sacks last year while playing for the Commanders (6.5) and Bears (6.0), Montez Sweat has been limited to 3.5 sacks this season. The sixth-year pro has been dealing with shin and ankle injuries.

"It comes with being a football player," Sweat said. "I've definitely been on the injury report this year more than I'm used to, but it's no excuse."

Injury update

Running back D'Andre Swift (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday after sitting out Wednesday. Left guard Teven Jenkins (ankle) was a full participant Thursday after being limited Wednesday.

For the second straight day, guard Ryan Bates (concussion), tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) and safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) did not practice.